Missoula Personal Injury Blog

You might be one of many Montana drivers who use a global positioning system to help you navigate unfamiliar roadways. While such devices are becoming more commonplace, many people still find them almost magical. You plug in some information and a voice tells you how to get there. The only problem is GPS devices are not always reliable and may place you at an increased risk for collision.

There's a risk of both system error and human error when you use a GPS while driving. Sometimes, outdated information can cause navigation instructions to lead drivers on a wild goose chase. If you're looking for a road name on a street sign that hasn't existed for 10 years or more, you might wind up being late to arrive to your destination. GPS devices can cause driving distractions as well, which can cause collisions that result in injury.

For many drivers in Montana, the reported decline in roadway deaths in 2018 is relieving news pointing to greater safety on the roads. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 35,560 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions last year, a 2.4% decline over 2017 figures, which themselves reflected a decrease over the prior year. According to the NHTSA, these positive statistics are continuing with the first half of 2019 showing a 3.4% decline in highway fatalities. At the same time, however, pedestrians and cyclists may have additional cause for concern.

The NHTSA also reported that 6,283 pedestrians were killed in car crashes in 2018, an increase of 3.4% over 2017 figures. It also represents the largest single number of pedestrians killed since 1990. According to researchers at "Consumer Reports," pedestrian deaths dropped until 2009 but have risen 53% since that time. There were also 6.3% more cyclists who died in motor vehicle accidents in 2018 for a total of 857. The agency reported that it was looking into reasons for these pedestrian and cyclist deaths, including the prevalence of SUVs. It may be more difficult for motorists to see lone walkers in a taller vehicle.

Drivers in Montana and throughout the United States need to be aware of the potential dangers that they face while driving during the fall season. For instance, roads can become slick when they are covered by rain or leaves that are falling off trees. In addition to making roads slippery, falling leaves can obscure traffic lines and other important markings. If rain and leaves are on the road at the same time, it can feel as if a person is driving on ice.

It is also important to be aware of those who spend as much time paying attention to the leaves as they do the road ahead of them. As the colors change, individuals may drive slowly to observe them or stop to take a picture without considering others around them. Driving during the early morning or early evening hours can be tougher in the fall because school is back in session.

Up to 9.5% of all auto accidents are due to drowsy driving according to a 2018 AAA study. This is a startling departure from government reports in the past, which estimated that between 1% and 2% of crashes are caused by drowsiness. The figure 9.5% is high when Montana residents consider that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving is to blame for 5% of all crashes.

Drowsy driving is an underreported phenomenon because police do not have any unerring way to detect it. In the absence of witnesses or special camera footage, drivers involved in a crash can easily lie about how tired they were. More than half of all drowsy driving crashes occur in the dark.